8 days (London, Birmingham & Southampton)

About the destination: Of all European capitals, London lives deepest in the imagination of travelers. We absorb London before we know it exists and when we finally approach the city, it does not disappoint. There are the red double-deckers, the bobbies and impassive guards at Buckingham, Westminster Abbey, and the notes of Big Ben, sounding familiar, as we have heard them before. We see these things with satisfaction. Yet there is much to surprise. London is not quaint. London is not a museum, though you could spend all of your time going from one to the next. It is a booming, urban sprawl, with traffic snarls, shops, and an astonishing international population. Visit the many monuments with nearly a millennium's worth of history, from the grave of Chaucer to the pub where the captain of the Mayflower drank to Piccadilly Circus, one of London’s most photographed sights. But don’t miss contemporary London, with its intensely active theatres, international cuisine, political demonstrations, the latest in music and fashion, punks and peers, and everyone in between. In 1777, writer Samuel Johnson said when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, and the phrase is still true. There's something different to experience every day in London.

About the destination: Birmingham, Britain's second-largest city, was during the 19th century the focus of the industrial revolution, which makes it very attractive for fans of industrial heritage. Its new cultural openness, materialized in urban redevelopment plans, will enthral all visitor. The history of the city is fascinating and in the new 'Birmingham, its people, its history' galleries visitors can explore the city's global heritage. These galleries are located at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, where visitors can, also, admire one of the best pre-Raphaelite collections in the world. Also worth a visit is the science museum Thinktank Science Museum, which houses 10 thematic galleries full of interactive fun, a digital planetarium and a science garden outdoors. The Selfridges building its one of the city’s most iconic sight due to its futuristic shape. Next to it we find St Martins Church, the church is hundreds of years old and the stunning gothic appearance of the church stands out beautifully next to the ultra-modern Bullring commercial area and Selfridges building, is worth admiring the contrast of the modern buildings with the temple. If you fancy something different, explore the city on one of the canal boats; Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice and offers fantastic landscapes. For more outdoor fun, we must visit Lickey Hills, a range of beautiful hills just outside of Birmingham. Here visitors will enjoy a relaxing stroll surrounded by leafy trees, squirrels and a stunning nature that inspired Tolkien to write the Lord of the Rings. Alongside outstanding museums and galleries you'll find an increasing number of gastronomic choices, cool and lively cocktail bars, and waterside bars and restaurants. Friendly and diverse, Birmingham has become Britain’s new tourism hotspot.

About the destination: "Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest. It lies at the northernmost point of Southampton Water at the confluence of the River Test and River Itchen, with the River Hamble joining to the south of the urban area. The local council is Southampton City Council, which is a unitary authority. The city represents the core of the Greater Southampton region, and the city itself has an estimated population of 253,651. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The Bargate. A medieval gatehouse sat slap bang in the middle of the shopping centre. The top floor is now a Heritage Visitor Centre • Central Parks. Established in the 19th century and listed Grade II on English Heritage's Register of Historic Parks. • The yearly Southampton Boat Show • Sea-City Museum • Tudor House"

About the destination: Of all European capitals, London lives deepest in the imagination of travelers. We absorb London before we know it exists and when we finally approach the city, it does not disappoint. There are the red double-deckers, the bobbies and impassive guards at Buckingham, Westminster Abbey, and the notes of Big Ben, sounding familiar, as we have heard them before. We see these things with satisfaction. Yet there is much to surprise. London is not quaint. London is not a museum, though you could spend all of your time going from one to the next. It is a booming, urban sprawl, with traffic snarls, shops, and an astonishing international population. Visit the many monuments with nearly a millennium's worth of history, from the grave of Chaucer to the pub where the captain of the Mayflower drank to Piccadilly Circus, one of London’s most photographed sights. But don’t miss contemporary London, with its intensely active theatres, international cuisine, political demonstrations, the latest in music and fashion, punks and peers, and everyone in between. In 1777, writer Samuel Johnson said when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, and the phrase is still true. There's something different to experience every day in London.